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Biomedical subjects

A Graziani

Publications and source records attributed to A Graziani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Oncostatin M activates phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase in Kaposi's sarcoma cells.

Oncostatin M (OM) is a polypeptide cytokine that induces autocrine and paracrine effects on AIDS-Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells (Nair et al., Science, 255, 1430-1432, 1992; Miles et al., Science, 255, 1432-1434, 1992). The signalling pathways underlying this activation are largely unknown. We have found that OM binding to KS cell lines in vitro identifies a higher affinity binding site (Kd 10-20 pM) with a lower affinity (Kd 1.5 nM), high capacity binding site. The binding of OM to its receptor at the KS cell surface stimulates a rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple proteins, including the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). In addition OM can stimulate the in vivo activation of PI3K and increases the PI3K activity in anti-phosphotyrosine and anti-src kinase family antibody directed immunoprecipitates. Genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, inhibits the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-biphosphate and the growth of KS cells. Finally, OM enhances tyrosine kinase activity in immune complex kinase assay performed with antibody anti-src kinase family. These data suggest that in KS cells OM can stimulate formation of tyrosine kinase co-ordinate signalling complexes, containing at least src kinase family and PI3K, which can drive the accumulation of the putative second-messengers D3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1993

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor stimulates the Ras-guanine nucleotide exchanger.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) induces mitogenesis and cell dissociation upon binding to the protein-tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the MET proto-oncogene (p190MET). The signal transduction pathways downstream from the receptor activation are largely unknown. We show that HGF/SF activates Ras protein. HGF/SF stimulation of metabolically labeled A549 cells raised the amount of Ras-bound radiolabeled guanine nucleotides by over 5-fold. Furthermore, following HGF/SF stimulation of these cells, 50% of Ras was in the GTP-bound active state. The uptake by Ras of radiolabeled GTP was also increased by 5-fold following HGF/SF stimulation in digitonin-permeabilized A549 cells. Moreover, HGF/SF treatment of A549 cells leads to stimulation of the cytosolic Ras-guanine nucleotide exchange activity, measured as accelerated release of [3H]GDP from purified recombinant Ras protein in vitro, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Likewise, treatment with the protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor 3-(1',4'-dihydroxytetralyl)methylene-2-oxindole of GTL-16 cells (featuring a p190MET receptor constitutively active) significantly decreased the cytosolic Ras-guanine nucleotide exchange activity. These data demonstrate that HGF/SF activates Ras protein by shifting the equilibrium toward the GTP-bound state and increases the uptake of guanine nucleotides by Ras, through mechanism(s) including the activation of a Ras-guanine nucleotide exchanger.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1992

Purification and characterization of human erythrocyte phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate 4-kinase are distinct enzymes.

PtdIns 4-kinase has been purified 83,000-fold from human erythrocyte membranes. The major protein detected by SDS/PAGE is of molecular mass 56 kDa, and enzymic activity can be renatured from this band of the gel. The characteristics of this enzyme are similar to other type II PtdIns kinases previously described: PtdIns presented in Triton X-100 micelles is preferred as a substrate over PtdIns vesicles, the enzyme possesses a relatively low Km for ATP (20 microM), and adenosine is an effective inhibitor. A monoclonal antibody raised against bovine brain type II PtdIns 4-kinase is an effective inhibitor of the purified enzyme. PtdIns(4,5)P2 inhibits by approx. 50% when added in equimolar amounts with PtdIns; PtdIns4P has little effect on activity. A PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity has also been detected in erythrocyte lysates. Approximately two-thirds of this activity is in the cytosolic fraction and one-third in the membrane fraction. No PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity could be detected in the purified type II PtdIns 4-kinase preparation, nor could this activity be detected in a bovine brain type III PtdIns 4-kinase preparation. The monoclonal antibody that inhibits the type II PtdIns 4-kinase does not affect the PtdIns3P 4-kinase activity in the membrane fraction. The cytosolic PtdIns3P 4-kinase can be efficiently recovered from a 60%-satd.-(NH4)2SO4 precipitate that is virtually free of PtdIns 4-kinase activity. We conclude that PtdIns3P 4-kinase is a new enzyme distinct from previously characterized PtdIns 4-kinases, and that this enzyme prefers PtdIns3P over PtdIns as a substrate.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗
PubMed1991

The tyrosine-phosphorylated hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor receptor associates with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.

The receptor for hepatocyte growth factor, also known as scatter factor (HGF/SF), has recently been identified as the 190-kDa heterodimeric tyrosine kinase encoded by the MET proto-oncogene (p190MET). The signaling pathway(s) triggered by HGF/SF are unknown. In A549 cells, a lung epithelial cell line, nanomolar concentrations of HGF/SF induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the p190MET receptor. The autophosphorylated receptor coprecipitated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity. In GTL16 cells, a cell line derived from a gastric carcinoma, the p190MET receptor, overexpressed and constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine, coprecipitated with PI 3-kinase activity and with the 85-kDa PI 3-kinase subunit. In these cells activation of protein kinase C or the increase of intracellular [Ca2+] inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of the p190MET receptor as well as the association with both PI 3-kinase activity and the 85-kDa subunit of the enzyme. In an in vitro assay, tyrosine phosphorylation of the immobilized p190MET receptor was required for binding of PI 3-kinase from cell lysates. These data strongly suggest that the signaling pathway activated by the HGF/SF receptor includes generation of D-3-phosphorylated inositol phospholipids.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1991

A monoclonal antibody distinguishes two types of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase.

A monoclonal antibody has been developed against the type II PtdIns 4-kinase from bovine brain. This antibody, 4C5G, causes greater than 90% inhibition of the type II PtdIns 4-kinase from bovine brain, rat brain and human erythrocytes. However, it fails to inhibit type III PtdIns 4-kinase from bovine brain or PtdIns 3-kinase from rat liver. These results suggest that type II and type III PtdIns 4-kinases are distinct gene products, and that 4C5G will be useful in studying the function of the type II PtdIns 4-kinase.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗
PubMed1990

A novel pathway for the formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate. Phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate by phosphatidylinositol-3-monophosphate 4-kinase.

Three polyphosphoinositides containing phosphate at the D-3 position of the inositol ring can be generated in vitro by phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate by a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (Auger, K. R., Serunian L. A., Soltoff, S. P., Libby, P., and Cantley, L. C. (1989) Cell 57, 167-175. An alternative pathway for in vivo synthesis of one of these lipids was recently suggested: phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate could be produced by phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate at the D-4 position of the inositol ring (Yamamoto, K., and Lapetina, E. G. (1990) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 168, 466-472). Here we demonstrate the presence of an enzyme in human platelets that phosphorylates [32P]phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate to produce [32P]phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate. This enzyme is Mg2(+)-dependent and its apparent molecular mass is approximately 150 kDa as estimated by sucrose gradient centrifugation and gel filtration chromatography. Unlike the major phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase in platelets that is stimulated by the detergent Nonidet P-40, the phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate-4-kinase is inhibited by Nonidet P-40. Both activities are also differentiated by the action of adenosine. The discovery of this new enzyme raises the possibility that multiple pathways exists for generating D-3 phosphorylated phosphoinositides.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗
PubMed1988

Investigations on the role of free radical processes in hexachlorobenzene-induced porphyria in mice.

Male C57Bl/10 mice were chronically fed hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (0.02% of the diet) alone or in combination with a single subcutaneous dose of iron (12.5 mg iron per mouse). After eight weeks the group of mice pretreated with the iron overload was highly sensitized to the porphyrogenic effect of HCB, as shown by liver porphyrin accumulation. A synergistic effect of iron was evident on other parameters too, such as HCB-induced hepatic damage, activation of type O of xanthine oxidase, and decreased activity of copper zinc superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase(s). None of these parameters was affected by iron alone. Iron alone and in association with HCB markedly raised the level of lipid peroxides, the increase in the HCB group being smaller. The combined treatment resulted in a significant reduction of HCB's inductive effects on microsomal heme and cytochromes P-450 and b5 and on the activity of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. The content of nonprotein sulfhydryl groups was reduced to the same extent in mice treated with HCB or HCB plus iron. The results suggest that reactive intermediates such as are formed by lipid peroxidation are not sufficient on their own to create the conditions for uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase impairment, as evident in the group of mice receiving iron overload alone. Conversely, HCB administration induced a specific condition of imbalance in the liver between formation and inactivation of reactive intermediates which was associated with hepatic porphyrin accumulation and was potentiated by concomitant administration of iron.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Uterine sarcomas: a clinicopathologic study.

A series of 48 cases with initial diagnosis of uterine sarcoma was reviewed to evaluate the validity of histologic criteria. The influence of pathologic and clinical prognostic factors and treatment modalities were examinated. The 32 patients included in this retrospective study after pathologic review had 5-year overall survival rate of 13.1%. Surgical pathological staging was demonstrated to be a significant prognostic factor, since patients with FIGO stage I-II disease had 33.5% actuarial survival rate whereas no patient with stage III-IV disease was alive at 37 months. Histological type, age and menopausal status did not significantly influence survival. Presence of heterologous elements and lymphovascular invasion were associated with a poor prognosis in the subgroup of patients with mixed mesodermal tumors. Median survival for patients receiving adjuvant treatment was 25 months compared to 19 months for those undergoing no adjuvant therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of hexachlorobenzene-induced alterations of microsomal membrane composition and monooxygenase activity in male and female rats.

The effect of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) on microsomal cytochromes P-450 and b5, monooxygenase activity and membrane composition was examined in male and female Fischer rats. Cytochrome P-450 was induced more in male than in female animals while cytochrome b5 was induced only in males. Analysis of patterns of induction of microsomal monooxygenases showed that aminopyrine-N-demethylase activity doubled in both sexes after treatment while aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was 16 times the control value in the females and 1.5 times in the males. After HCB treatment the phospholipid content of microsomal membranes per gram of liver was increased in both sexes while cholesterol was unchanged. Analysis of the phospholipids (PL) pattern showed that the percentage of sphingomyelin (SPH) decreased significantly (50% of the control value) while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) did not change. These changes resulted in a reduction of membrane microviscosity and indicate that HCB interferes with the biosynthesis of phospholipids containing choline. Free fatty acid (FFA) content also dropped in both sexes but females were more affected; free arachidonic acid rose in females. HCB induction of microsomal cytochromes and monooxygenases is thus accompanied by marked modifications of membrane composition. Comparing the 2 sexes, HCB showed more pronounced features of 'PB type' inducers in males.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of chlorinated organics on intermediates in the heme pathway and on uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase.

Experimental porphyria induced by PHAHs is characterized by a progressive reduction in the activity of UROD. After intoxication with TCDD, the most porphyrogenic compound known to date, the liver was the principal site of action, as regards both porphyrin accumulation (mostly uroporphyrin) and the degree of enzyme impairment; the kidney was the site of the second greatest accumulation; the brain and erythrocytes were unaffected. Additional modifications of the heme pathway involved induction of the activity of ALAS and, at least in HCB-induced porphyria after iron pretreatment, may have involved reduced activity of uroporphyrinogen III cosynthetase. These changes can alter the amount and the isomeric composition of uroporphyrinogens and uroporphyrins present in the liver in a way that is likely to help reduce formation of coproporphyrinogen III in porphyric animals. As in the human syndrome porphyria cutanea tarda, iron administration increased porphyrin accumulation and the degree of reduction of UROD activity in mice fed HCB. Mice fed HCB also presented an activation of the type O form of XO. This activation was independent of tissue injury derived from the lipid peroxidation that was concomitant with iron administration. The increase in activity of the type O form of XO may be a characteristic feature of the liver damage found in PHAH intoxication and, in intoxicated animals, could be a source in the liver of oxidant species involved in the mechanism of UROD inactivation--if this inactivation is in fact due to an oxidative reaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Association between breast and colorectal cancer in a sample of surgical patients.

The frequency of adenomatous polyps and adenocarcinomas of the large bowel in 95 patients mastectomized for breast cancer, and the prevalence of breast cancer in 77 women previously operated on for colorectal cancer were evaluated by means of a case-control study. The mastectomized patients as well as the control group, underwent a left-sided colonoscopy. The latter had been selected among women spontaneously referring to our gastroenterological out-patients clinic. The choice of this self selected control group could produce a under-estimation of the relative for colon cancer in mastectomized patients. Among mastectomized patients the frequency of adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer was 10.5% and 5.3% respectively; while the control group showed 8.5% frequency for adenomatous polyps and 3.9% frequency for cancer. These figures are not statistically different. Patients operated on for colorectal cancer and the control group underwent clinical and mammographic examination. The prevalence of breast cancer among colorectal cancer patients and the control group women was 5.2% and 0.3% respectively (10 times higher): the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.006). In spite of the relatively small number of studied cases, our finding are consistent with the hypothesis of a correlation between breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Effects of iron overload on bile secretion and hepatic porphyrin metabolism in ethinyl estradiol-treated rats.

We investigated the effects of ethinyl estradiol (5 mg/kg body wt daily for 5 days, orally) and/or iron sorbitol (50 mg/kg body wt daily for 5 days, i.m.) on bile flow, bile salt independent fraction (BSIF), hepatic delta-aminolevulinate synthase (ALA-S) and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D) in female rats. Ethinyl estradiol administration was associated with a significant decrease of bile flow and BSIF and an increase in URO-D activity in comparison to control values. Iron alone did not modify biliary parameters, but significantly increased the activity of ALA-S. Combined treatment with ethinyl estradiol plus iron partially corrected the reduction of BSIF and restored the activity of ALA-S and URO-D to control levels. Thus iron appears to exert a partially protective effect against ethinyl estradiol-induced cholestasis. No porphyrinogenic effect was observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Porphyrinogenic effect of hexachlorobenzene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin: is an inhibitor involved in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase inactivation?

Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase from control mouse liver was markedly inhibited in vitro by addition to the incubation mixture of cytosol fractions from livers of porphyric mice. The animals had been subjected to chronic treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (25 micrograms/kg per week, intraperitoneally). The cytosol fractions were deproteinized by heating at 100 degrees C for 5 min and freed of porphyrins by treating the supernatants with Zerolit FF (i.p.) resin. Inhibition was proportional to the amount of fraction added and was not observed if the inhibitor fraction was dialysed before incubation. Increasing the substrate concentration did not reverse enzyme inhibition; the Vmax value calculated for the control enzyme in the presence of the inhibitor fraction was decreased, but Km did not vary. Two alternative hypotheses on the nature of the inhibitor compound(s) in the inhibitor fraction are discussed with relation to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) porphyria.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Digoxin-amiodarone interaction].

Digoxin plasma levels and digoxin erythrocytic membrane content have been evaluated in 39 patients treated with digoxin and amiodarone in a fixed dose for more than 3 months. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of patients treated with digoxin alone and matched for age, renal function and digoxin daily dose in micrograms/kg body weight. Digoxin plasma levels and digoxin erythrocytic content were significantly higher in patients treated with amiodarone than in controls, thus confirming the interaction between digoxin and amiodarone. The relation between digoxin plasma levels and digoxin bound to erythrocytic membranes--as a marker of the deep tissue accumulation--was not different in patients treated with digoxin or with digoxin + amiodarone, further indicating that amiodarone may not increase digoxin plasma levels by means of a displacement of the glycoside from tissues. The clinical significance of the interaction is still undefined.

Adult↗